Softball Announces Promotional Schedule Ahead Of Home Opener
February 22, 2023 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State softball released its promotional schedule for the 2023 home schedule on Wednesday with 18 theme games and nine giveaway items on tap at Nusz Park.
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Celebrating diversity and giving back are two hallmarks of this year's themes. The home opener on Feb. 28 against Mississippi Valley State will start things off with a Black History Month celebration. Samoan Day, honoring Chloe Malau'ulu, Leilani Pulemau, Matalasi Faapito, Kiarra Sells and head coach Samantha Ricketts' heritage, returns on April 30. New this year, the Bulldogs have added Native American Day on March 18 to recognize the tribal heritage of Aspen Wesley (Choctaw), Shea Moreno (Yaqui) and volunteer assistant coach Zac Shaw (Seneca-Cayuga).
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Also returning for 2023 are Military Appreciation Day (March 4) and First Responders Day (March 12). Once again, following the game against East Tennessee State, members of the Starkville police and fire departments will compete on the field in a home run derby.
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State will raise awareness for the fight against cancer, recognizing a cause that is dear to them, three times this spring. The annual Snowman tournament will again honor the legacy of the late Alex Wilcox who played at MSU and died of ovarian cancer in 2018. The first day of the tournament will include a teal "StrikeOut Cancer" t-shirt giveaway on March 3. Later in the season, the Bulldogs will play at home on April 28, the day of the annual 4:28 Wall Sit Challenge in Wilcox's memory. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the challenge while at the game against Kentucky. Finally, MSU will hold Breast Cancer Awareness Day on April 1 against Arkansas.
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Two back-to-back games will be focused on members of the university community. On March 5 against Murray State, the Bulldogs welcome those who keep Mississippi State University running with Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. The following midweek matchup with Southeastern Louisiana (March 9) will be the Bulldogs' Greek Attendance Challenge sponsored by Bluto's.
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There are also numerous giveaway items planned for the year. When State hosts Oklahoma on March 11, fans can receive free rally towels. On St. Patrick's Day against South Carolina (March 17), fans can pickup a pair of green sunglasses. That night will also feature softball's first Friday Night Fireworks show after the game. Later that weekend, Bark in the Park is set for March 19 with dog owners taking home collapsible dog bowls for their favorite pooch. Against Arkansas on March 31, fans can take home a retro sticker on Alumni Night. and pink ribbons and lanyards
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Super Bulldog Weekend returns to Nusz Park for the first time since 2019, and State has plenty of prizes for those in attendance. On Friday night (April 14) against Alabama, fans can take home a "Stack the Deck" cooler, and on Sunday (April 16), there will be Seven Innings of Winnings with a drawing for a prize each inning.
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State will celebrate Christmas in Nusz Park on April 19 against Memphis with an ornament giveaway, and Senior Day is scheduled for April 29 against Kentucky.
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For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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March 3 vs. Dartmouth and Abilene Christian – Teal "StrikeOut Cancer" t-shirts
March 4 vs. Murray State and Abilene Christian – Military Appreciation Day
March 5 vs. Murray State – Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day
March 9 vs. Southeastern Louisiana – Greek Attendance Challenge sponsored by Bluto's
March 11 vs. Oklahoma – Rally Towels
March 12 vs. ETSU – First Responders Day / Police vs. Fire Home Run Derby
March 15 vs. Purdue – Wii Sports Night
March 17 vs. South Carolina – St. Patrick's Day Sunglasses / Friday Night Raffle / Friday Night Fireworks
March 18 vs. South Carolina – Native American Day
March 19 vs. South Carolina – Bark in the Park / Collapsible Dog Bowls
March 31 vs. Arkansas – Alumni Night / Friday Night Raffle / Retro Stickers
April 1 vs. Arkansas – Breast Cancer Awareness / Pink Ribbons and Lanyards
April 2 vs. Arkansas – Kids Day at the Park
April 14 vs. Alabama (Super Bulldog Weekend) – "Stack the Deck" cooler / Friday Night Raffle
April 16 vs. Alabama (Super Bulldog Weekend) – 7 Innings of Winnings
April 19 vs. Memphis – Christmas in Nusz Park / Christmas Ornament
April 28 vs. Kentucky – 4:28 Wall Sit Challenge Day / Crawfish Boil
April 29 vs. Kentucky – Senior Day
April 30 vs. Kentucky – Samoan Day
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Celebrating diversity and giving back are two hallmarks of this year's themes. The home opener on Feb. 28 against Mississippi Valley State will start things off with a Black History Month celebration. Samoan Day, honoring Chloe Malau'ulu, Leilani Pulemau, Matalasi Faapito, Kiarra Sells and head coach Samantha Ricketts' heritage, returns on April 30. New this year, the Bulldogs have added Native American Day on March 18 to recognize the tribal heritage of Aspen Wesley (Choctaw), Shea Moreno (Yaqui) and volunteer assistant coach Zac Shaw (Seneca-Cayuga).
Â
Also returning for 2023 are Military Appreciation Day (March 4) and First Responders Day (March 12). Once again, following the game against East Tennessee State, members of the Starkville police and fire departments will compete on the field in a home run derby.
Â
State will raise awareness for the fight against cancer, recognizing a cause that is dear to them, three times this spring. The annual Snowman tournament will again honor the legacy of the late Alex Wilcox who played at MSU and died of ovarian cancer in 2018. The first day of the tournament will include a teal "StrikeOut Cancer" t-shirt giveaway on March 3. Later in the season, the Bulldogs will play at home on April 28, the day of the annual 4:28 Wall Sit Challenge in Wilcox's memory. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the challenge while at the game against Kentucky. Finally, MSU will hold Breast Cancer Awareness Day on April 1 against Arkansas.
Â
Two back-to-back games will be focused on members of the university community. On March 5 against Murray State, the Bulldogs welcome those who keep Mississippi State University running with Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. The following midweek matchup with Southeastern Louisiana (March 9) will be the Bulldogs' Greek Attendance Challenge sponsored by Bluto's.
Â
There are also numerous giveaway items planned for the year. When State hosts Oklahoma on March 11, fans can receive free rally towels. On St. Patrick's Day against South Carolina (March 17), fans can pickup a pair of green sunglasses. That night will also feature softball's first Friday Night Fireworks show after the game. Later that weekend, Bark in the Park is set for March 19 with dog owners taking home collapsible dog bowls for their favorite pooch. Against Arkansas on March 31, fans can take home a retro sticker on Alumni Night. and pink ribbons and lanyards
Â
Super Bulldog Weekend returns to Nusz Park for the first time since 2019, and State has plenty of prizes for those in attendance. On Friday night (April 14) against Alabama, fans can take home a "Stack the Deck" cooler, and on Sunday (April 16), there will be Seven Innings of Winnings with a drawing for a prize each inning.
Â
State will celebrate Christmas in Nusz Park on April 19 against Memphis with an ornament giveaway, and Senior Day is scheduled for April 29 against Kentucky.
Â
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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2023 Softball Promotional Schedule
Feb. 28 vs. Mississippi Valley State (DH) – Black History Month celebrationMarch 3 vs. Dartmouth and Abilene Christian – Teal "StrikeOut Cancer" t-shirts
March 4 vs. Murray State and Abilene Christian – Military Appreciation Day
March 5 vs. Murray State – Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day
March 9 vs. Southeastern Louisiana – Greek Attendance Challenge sponsored by Bluto's
March 11 vs. Oklahoma – Rally Towels
March 12 vs. ETSU – First Responders Day / Police vs. Fire Home Run Derby
March 15 vs. Purdue – Wii Sports Night
March 17 vs. South Carolina – St. Patrick's Day Sunglasses / Friday Night Raffle / Friday Night Fireworks
March 18 vs. South Carolina – Native American Day
March 19 vs. South Carolina – Bark in the Park / Collapsible Dog Bowls
March 31 vs. Arkansas – Alumni Night / Friday Night Raffle / Retro Stickers
April 1 vs. Arkansas – Breast Cancer Awareness / Pink Ribbons and Lanyards
April 2 vs. Arkansas – Kids Day at the Park
April 14 vs. Alabama (Super Bulldog Weekend) – "Stack the Deck" cooler / Friday Night Raffle
April 16 vs. Alabama (Super Bulldog Weekend) – 7 Innings of Winnings
April 19 vs. Memphis – Christmas in Nusz Park / Christmas Ornament
April 28 vs. Kentucky – 4:28 Wall Sit Challenge Day / Crawfish Boil
April 29 vs. Kentucky – Senior Day
April 30 vs. Kentucky – Samoan Day
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